Edwin K. Walker

Monday

He was a native of Winston-Salem, N.C. His father, Kelly Denton Walker was killed when he was six years old, and his mother, Goldie Isley Walker worked hard to raise her five children during the Depression. Despite the hard times, Edwin excelled in school and studied at UNC-Chapel Hill. Unfortunately, his studies were interrupted by World War II. Because of his aptitude, he was admitted into the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), a program to develop Army intelligence. This program was scrapped in 1943 in favor of just making them soldiers, so he was assigned to the 94th Infantry Division. After entering the war, the 94th was part of Patton’s Third Army. From September 1944 through May 1945, he saw intense action. Battle credits include northern France, the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), the Rhineland and Central Europe. His Battalion was the first to the Rhine River. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star.

After the war, Mr. Walker returned to Chapel Hill to finish his accounting degree. While studying he met his future wife, Margaret Cole, also a student at UNC. They dated until he finished school, and were married in New York, Dec. 20, 1947, where he accepted a job at Price Waterhouse. They spent the next 13 years building a family, and building a career. By the end of 1960, the Walkers had three children, and Edwin had become full partner at Price Waterhouse. His professional accomplishments included running Price Waterhouse offices in Rochester N.Y. from 1968-1971, and Charlotte, N.C. from 1971-1977. He finished his last few years at PW back in New York, until he retired in 1980. Mr Walker retired in Lake Wylie,S.C., just south of Charlotte. Later, in the 1990s, he and Mrs Walker moved to Apex to be closer to grandchildren.

Mr Walker is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Margaret Cole Walker of the home; children John Vincent Walker of Pittsboro, Dr William Walker of Asheboro, Susan E. Walker of New Hill; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

There will be a funeral service with military honors at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St., Apex.

A reception for friends will be immediately following the service at Apex Funeral Home.